Note: There was just one major league in 1879, the National League. The Chicago White Stockings later changed its nickname to the Cubs, and the Boston Red Stockings changed its nickname to the Braves. The American League was started in 1901.

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'Pud' Galvin - 300 Game Winner

A stocky right-handed pitcher, James 'Pud' Galvin possessed a blazing fastball and racked up a phenomenal record in the early days of the major leagues. In 1879, his rookie season, Galvin registered a 37-27 record pitching for Buffalo of the National League.

In 1883, "the Little Steam Engine" as he was often called, went 46-29 and led the league with 76 games started, 75 completed, and also led in innings pitched with 656 1/3.

Though he never pitched for a team that finished higher than third, 'Pud' Galvin became one of baseball's winningest pitchers. In 1884, he was 46-22 with 12 shutouts, including three shutouts against Detroit between August 2 and August 8, and on August 4, he hurled a no-hitter. His 396 strikeouts in 1884 were a career high.

Hall of Famer, James 'Pud' Galvin career numbers includes winning 20 or more games 10 times, a record of 361-310 including 57 shutouts - tenth on the all-time list. "The little Steam Engine" pitched for Buffalo, Pittsburgh and St. Louis from 1879-1892. Except for Cy Young, no major league pitcher worked more innings than James 'Pud' Galvin's 5,941 1/3. Baseballhistorian.com archives - Baseball History

George Gore - 'Piano Legs' - 1879-1892

Despite his nickname, 'Piano Legs', George Gore was the major star of Cap Anson's Chicago White Stockings ( the team which is now called the Chicago Cubs ).

Gore joined the White Stockings in 1879 and his great speed, high batting and outstanding fielding in centerfield helped the Chicago team win five pennants.

'Piano Legs' George Gore led the league in batting with .360 in 1880 and also led the league in runs twice. In 1886, Gore scored 150 runs and walked 102 times despite the rule requiring nine balls for a walk. He put together 4 straight 100 runs scored seasons.

George Gore's was considered baseball's top clutch hitter in the 1880's, but his reputation for wine, woman and song often clashed with manager Anson's rules and Gore was traded to the New York Giants.

'Piano Legs' helped the Giants capture two straight pennants, 1888-89. George Gore' lifetime stats include a .301 batting mark and he scored 1,327 runs in 1,310 games, over one run per/game. Gore was born in Saccarappa, Maine on May 3, 1857 and despite his late hours and heavy drinking, he lived until the age of 76 and died in Utica, New York. baseballhistorian.com (Green Boxes) - Baseball History

George Bradley

He made major league baseball history on July 15 1876 by pitching the National League's first no hitter

George Bradley received a salary of $1200 in 1875 for his pitching with the St Louis Brown Stockings of the American Association prior to joining the National League.

A native of Reading Pennsylvania, hard throwing George Bradley signed with the St Louis Brown Stockings in the inaugural season of National League in 1876. And, he was the team's only pitcher, receiving a salary around $1700 per/year.

Pressure was rising amid competition from other professional baseball leagues!

George Bradley, in mid-season, pitched the first no hitter of the National League on July 15 1876.

In the above season, 1876, the 24-year-old George Bradley fashioned a stunning record of 45 wins and just 19 loses with a miserly 1.23 earned run average. He completed all 63 of his starts while leading the Browns to a 2nd place finish with a 45-19 record. Note: the one game he did not start because of flu-like sickness, he came in relief and was credit with the win. In this season George Bradley pitched a still unbroken 16 shutouts and led the NL with his 1.23 ERA, allowed 470 hits, struck out 103, issued 38 walks in 573 innings.

Bradley signed with the Chicago Cubs the next season And went 18-23 with a 3.31 ERA, then fell to 13-40 with a 2.85 ERA while pitching with Troy of the National League in 1880. While playing for Providence of the NL in 1880, Bradley played 38 games at third base and pitched in 28 games, And, he also played 1st base, outfield and shortstop.

George Bradley went 25-16 with Cincinnati of the Union Association League in 1884, his last season as a pitcher.